2 Timothy 1:15-18 A Disciple is a good friend
We all have this desire to have close personal friendships with others, we are all discouraged why people abandon us. Paul was like us he celebrated those who were good friends and was discouraged by the bad ones.
Vrs 15 Phy-gelus & Herm-oo-gen-es Fair weather friends. This verse does not tell us that they turned away from the Lord but that they turned away from Paul.
A bad friend…
-only has time for you when they need you.
Job 19:14 “my close friends have forgotten me”
-is not trustworthy. 3 under this topic The bad=betrayal (Judas), the ignorant (simple, just never learned how to be a good friend) & the lack of self control (some people mean well but they just cant things up or control themselves from hurting you).
George Elliot said…”Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts, nor measure words, but to pour them all out just as they are, chaff and grain together knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then, with the breath of kindness blow the rest away”
-is uncommitted: Like a wet bar of soap, the tighter you grab they get away
-does not live the Gospel toward you (summarize them) Job 6:14 “he who withholds kindness from a friend, forsakes the fear of the Almighty”
NO sacrifice, compassion, forgiveness, mercy or healing
Vrs 16-17 Own-e-seph-orus example of loyalty and a good friend.
A good friend… (This is what the disciple should aim towards)
-helps in a time of need. “refreshed” He met his physical needs…food and drink…also could be an encouragement and a constant reminder of the work of God (saying “Paul…keep your chin up…the Lord has got this)
Something that many people do not realize that a great time of need is when a person is caught up in sin
Someone once said “In our dealings with those caught in sin, mercy is incomplete unless we do as Jesus did; call it sin. We have winked, giggled, made alibis, or ignored sin all too long. A friend in deed is one who says quietly, but firmly, "What you're doing friend is sin. It is harmful to you and to others. It is destructive to God's will for you.”
This echoes Proverbs 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend ;profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
-sticks with you even in worst moments. “Not ashamed of my chains” That also means that they will not hit the road when your relationship is having problems…they are committed to working things out
A small boy defined a friend as "Someone who knows all about you and likes you just the same."
-persistent in helping. “Searched” Starts with… I needed to reach out to you because I knew you were hurting.
Most of us will help if asked…but how many of us will seek out friends to help out to help.
If you find it difficult to make friends it may be because you are looking for people to meet your needs. “What need do I have?” “How are they meeting it?”
A great way to make friends is to seek out others and meet their needs. Good Samaritan
-is fruitful. “service he rendered” A good friend gives. It is important to realize a good disciple is fruitful, because of that they have the ability to be a great asset as a friend because they guide you into more fruitfulness.
Someone who is a good friend rubs off on you in positive ways. We all remember our parents saying things like “I don’t like how you act when you are around so and so”
But we all realize who is a positive influence on us…faithful servants of the Lord are. A word of clarification just because someone is faithful in service does not mean they are faithful or fruitful servant of the Lord.
Unfortunately I have come across people who are very consistent and committed but by their actions but it often seems that the service they give is very self motivated, we are not to judge but when we see people that are miserable and serving it causes us to wonder if their lack of joy has to do with their wrong motivation. (“I serve because it makes me feel…”
Example: have you ever gone somewhere that you did not want to go? (you did what you were asked…but how did you act)
Paul used Onesiphorus as an example because he knew his heart was in it. How do we know someone’s heart is in it Matthew 12:34-35 (not only are they there but it is how they act when they are there)
-prays for you. Paul continues the example of a good friend by praying for extra mercy for Onesiphorus. This is an example of a prayer of thanks. When we look at the book of Job we see in chapter 42 that Job prayed for his friends that “have not spoken right about the Lord”
So we see a good friend prays for their friends whether they are doing right or wrong. The temptation is…
when they are doing right we just expect that and don’t thank God for them
when they are doing wrong we are so ticked that we find it difficult to pray for them.
We may say “this is tough to be a friend like this” you are right it is that is why we look to Jesus for guidance
Jesus is the best friend, GOSPEL Proverbs 18:24 “a friend who sticks closer then a brother”
We may also say “I don’t have anyone like this in my life” don’t be discouraged no one is going to fit the perfect bill of friendship…but Jesus can fill that void for you. The lack of solid friends just helps you to realize how much more you need the friendship of God.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Entrusted "A Disciple Will Suffer" Discipleship Part 2
2 Timothy 1:8-14 A Disciple will suffer
3 types of suffering
-Consequence of personal sin
-Suffering because we live in a sinful & fallen world
-Suffering because we are following the Lord The promise = 2 Timothy 3:12
Background…Paul was in prison in Rome and the church was under persecution under Nero. Tacitus wrote about this Great fire of Rome…Nero was accused of it and blamed it on the Christians and started to persecute them.
We suffer because…
• others hate the Gospel, Paul’s imprisonments are an example of that. Vrs 8 Offensive message Christmas Eve
• we are called to suffering, just as we were called to salvation. Just like people have become Christians since the time of Christ, people have suffered since the time of Christ. Vrs 9-12a The nature of the Gospel is suffering, One died for the many. (we must remember there are different seasons in suffering and as we mature suffering we learn to “Count it all joy” because Christ is working through us.
• of the truth of the Gospel (narrow minded) vrs 10
• we follow the Gospel. Vrs 13 The nature of the Gospel is sacrifice…when you sacrifice you suffer because you are giving up something that normally you desire or something that makes life better. The nature of the Gospel is forgiveness, when you forgive someone you suffer because mentally you want them to pay for what they did so you have emotional turmoil because you “let them off the hook” Son of Man has no where to lay His head
• we have something to guard.
Vrs 14 When something or someone is important to us we do what it takes to make it or they are safe. You may have seen in the news just this week in Australia the terrible floods. In one of the accounts a 13 year old boy his 10 year old brother and his mother were stuck in a heavy current flood waters in their car. The rescue workers made their way to them but only could take one at a time the 13 year old yelled to the worker take my brother first. As they got his brother to safety he was yelling come and get my mom. Unfortunately the rescue workers could not get to them in time. The this young boy valued the lives of his brother and mother over his own and was willing to guard them at his own expense. If nothing is important to you, you will have nothing to guard and therefore you will suffer less….id that an option??? Not for a normal people
What we learn from suffering.
• Should not be ashamed Vrs 8a (Paul to Timothy) Vrs 12a (Paul of himself)
-Ashamed when people don’t agree with Gospel work
-Ashamed to share the whole Gospel “testimony of the Lord” (we leave out the sin & wrath part and only focus on God’s love, go on tangent about how God just being loving does not make sense and therefore only focusing in on that will leave people doubting) “I am a loving judge” illustration GOSPEL
• It has less of a blow when we are in it together Vres 8 “share” (Community Groups)
• God has a purpose in it for us Verse 9 (notice verse 8 he states “The Lord’s Prisoner” not Rome’s prisoner because he knows if God wanted out…he would be out Acts 16:25-27) Maybe in your life there is a situation which you want to made different…rest that God has purpose for that situation.
• Jesus has the upper hand in against suffering. “appearing” If we ever complain about suffering we have Jesus to think about. Vrs 10 Hebrew 12:3 Jesus’ suffering brought us life
• The Gospel is worth suffering for. Vrs 11-12
It is not worth living for something if you will not die for it.
John is the only Apostle that did not die in Martyrdom. But he was boiled in oil and escaped and then exiled to the Isle of Patmos. After that I have a book called Foxes book of Martyrs which gives an 1800 year account of people that died or suffered physically for the trust and the guarding of the Gospel…There are two options for these people…they were either really confused and deceived or they really knew that the Gospel was true.
A person will be willing to suffer if something is important to them.
• It will not last forever Vrs 12
• We have protection during our suffering. Vrs 12
-Through the Word Vrs 13
“Follow” Test everything by the Word (am I doing right before the Lord? If not I may be suffering because I strayed)
“Sound Words” Good Theology…When these things happen we don’t question God as much as we look for what we need to learn from the situation
-Through the Spirit Vrs 14 Relying of the Holy Spirit
(Am I just trusting in my own skills and abilities?)
• Jesus paid my deposit. Regardless of how we suffer we have a guarantee in our relationship with Jesus Christ.
Jesus is saying “Come a Disciple of Me will suffer”
3 types of suffering
-Consequence of personal sin
-Suffering because we live in a sinful & fallen world
-Suffering because we are following the Lord The promise = 2 Timothy 3:12
Background…Paul was in prison in Rome and the church was under persecution under Nero. Tacitus wrote about this Great fire of Rome…Nero was accused of it and blamed it on the Christians and started to persecute them.
We suffer because…
• others hate the Gospel, Paul’s imprisonments are an example of that. Vrs 8 Offensive message Christmas Eve
• we are called to suffering, just as we were called to salvation. Just like people have become Christians since the time of Christ, people have suffered since the time of Christ. Vrs 9-12a The nature of the Gospel is suffering, One died for the many. (we must remember there are different seasons in suffering and as we mature suffering we learn to “Count it all joy” because Christ is working through us.
• of the truth of the Gospel (narrow minded) vrs 10
• we follow the Gospel. Vrs 13 The nature of the Gospel is sacrifice…when you sacrifice you suffer because you are giving up something that normally you desire or something that makes life better. The nature of the Gospel is forgiveness, when you forgive someone you suffer because mentally you want them to pay for what they did so you have emotional turmoil because you “let them off the hook” Son of Man has no where to lay His head
• we have something to guard.
Vrs 14 When something or someone is important to us we do what it takes to make it or they are safe. You may have seen in the news just this week in Australia the terrible floods. In one of the accounts a 13 year old boy his 10 year old brother and his mother were stuck in a heavy current flood waters in their car. The rescue workers made their way to them but only could take one at a time the 13 year old yelled to the worker take my brother first. As they got his brother to safety he was yelling come and get my mom. Unfortunately the rescue workers could not get to them in time. The this young boy valued the lives of his brother and mother over his own and was willing to guard them at his own expense. If nothing is important to you, you will have nothing to guard and therefore you will suffer less….id that an option??? Not for a normal people
What we learn from suffering.
• Should not be ashamed Vrs 8a (Paul to Timothy) Vrs 12a (Paul of himself)
-Ashamed when people don’t agree with Gospel work
-Ashamed to share the whole Gospel “testimony of the Lord” (we leave out the sin & wrath part and only focus on God’s love, go on tangent about how God just being loving does not make sense and therefore only focusing in on that will leave people doubting) “I am a loving judge” illustration GOSPEL
• It has less of a blow when we are in it together Vres 8 “share” (Community Groups)
• God has a purpose in it for us Verse 9 (notice verse 8 he states “The Lord’s Prisoner” not Rome’s prisoner because he knows if God wanted out…he would be out Acts 16:25-27) Maybe in your life there is a situation which you want to made different…rest that God has purpose for that situation.
• Jesus has the upper hand in against suffering. “appearing” If we ever complain about suffering we have Jesus to think about. Vrs 10 Hebrew 12:3 Jesus’ suffering brought us life
• The Gospel is worth suffering for. Vrs 11-12
It is not worth living for something if you will not die for it.
John is the only Apostle that did not die in Martyrdom. But he was boiled in oil and escaped and then exiled to the Isle of Patmos. After that I have a book called Foxes book of Martyrs which gives an 1800 year account of people that died or suffered physically for the trust and the guarding of the Gospel…There are two options for these people…they were either really confused and deceived or they really knew that the Gospel was true.
A person will be willing to suffer if something is important to them.
• It will not last forever Vrs 12
• We have protection during our suffering. Vrs 12
-Through the Word Vrs 13
“Follow” Test everything by the Word (am I doing right before the Lord? If not I may be suffering because I strayed)
“Sound Words” Good Theology…When these things happen we don’t question God as much as we look for what we need to learn from the situation
-Through the Spirit Vrs 14 Relying of the Holy Spirit
(Am I just trusting in my own skills and abilities?)
• Jesus paid my deposit. Regardless of how we suffer we have a guarantee in our relationship with Jesus Christ.
Jesus is saying “Come a Disciple of Me will suffer”
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Entrusted "Mentors" Discipleship Part 1
Introduction material Dates as early at 64 AD and as late as 67 AD. It was the last letter that Paul wrote
A disciple is a “follower of Jesus” The key ingredient is RELATIONSHIP, it is not an exchange of information although that is very helpful, it is not a program although programs facilitate relationships it is not something that we accomplish then move on to something else…it is a life endeavor. Discipleship
2 Timothy 1:1-7 A Disciple has people who build into them…Mentor type relationships
Vrs 1 Paul is not just writing as a friend but when he says “an Apostle” he is speaking to Timothy as one who has authority and therefore this authority should also be communicated to those under Timothy. Timothy can clearly say to those under him…”Paul the Apostle told me”
In this situation we see Timothy a disciple of Jesus Christ has Paul to build into him on a “pastoral calling level”
Vrs 2 “my beloved child” this is an important relationship that believers should have…someone they can look to as a spiritual father…maybe your biological father fills this role. But many of you like myself have a father that is not a firm believer in Christ, so we need other spiritual older men to fill that void.
Description of the Mentor/person building into us A Mentor…
Vrs 3
-Practices what they have learned from those they learned from (thanks)
-Prays for then disciple
Vrs 4 -Mentor cares for the disciple. “Tears” This is probably a reference to the last time Paul saw Timothy and they were parting ways 1 Timothy 1:3 “remain at Ephesus”
-Mentor takes pleasure in the work done by the disciple
Vrs 5 A Mentor recognizes the power of the first influence (Parents). A disciple has multiple people that speak into their lives.
When Paul speaks about Lois and Eunice it is a reminder that our first responsibility when it comes to discipleship is those in our family.
A call to parents you have little lives that need to be built into…It is the job of the church to assist that but the responsibility does not rest on the church to disciple your children. The church with its programs should underline what you are currently teaching them.
You on the other hand should be discipled by the church. Here is why, if you know the Word and are consistently pursuing God that will inevitably use what is instilled in you to disciple your children…because discipleship is about the life we live…not a class or program. So the goal here if for you to learn, learn how to apply and be inspired to apply the truths of the Bible.
To some degree your children will love what you love and hate what you hate. UNLESS (with the exception of Jesus who should be before everything and everyone) what you love forces you to neglect them.
Why is this? Because when you love something you develop a passion for whatever that is and when there is passion for something, the people around you sense that and then want to investigate what is fueling that passion.
Our society tells us put our kids in situations in which they can be exposed to things and have experiences but what we need to remember as parents, the best thing we can do for our children at the developmental ages is build into them spiritually. We CANNOT do that if we are not being built into spiritually. You make sacrifices for your children but you do not sacrifice your own spiritual development for them, if you do it will harm them. (My going to school illustration, I need development)
Then you can live a Deut 6:4-9 centered Christian life.
The words of Jesus “A disciple is not above his teacher” your children will reach as high as you are.
Vrs 6 A mentor encourages the disciple to their highest potential. “fan to flame” Remember Rev 3:16 Jesus spits out those that are lukewarm. Do everything you can to be excited about and on fire for the Lord.
“Fan into flame” encourage the work
You can tell if someone has the work of the Lord’s best interest in mind if they encourage others to serve better and excel. Far too many times we see people in leadership roles that only want good things to be accomplished if their name is attached to it.
They don’t have the security to empower others and will not support when others excel. They may tear down and malign what the person is doing in hopes to keep people looking at them.
The people who truly have an impact are the people that are willing to empower and not take credit.
As a person who disciples others, one necessary trait must be humility…
If it was not for the devotion of Annie Sullivan the world would not know the name of Helen Keller
If not for George MacDonald the world may not have known C.S. Lewis
1 Timothy 4:14 Leaders “laying hands” a commissioning for ministry
This act is also saying “we need to empower others for the work”
Vrs 7 A mentor reminds a disciple of the power of God
A disciple needs those that build into them to be the type of people that celebrate with them even when their work becomes more noticeable then the work that they have done.
Vrs 7 a true disciple is empowered by God (more specifically the Holy Spirit). Bottom line is that what matters most is a vibrant relationship with the Lord that is only achieved through the GOSPEL. You can work all you want to be a good disciple (follower of Jesus) but if you do not rely on the Holy Spirit you have failed.
A disciple is a “follower of Jesus” The key ingredient is RELATIONSHIP, it is not an exchange of information although that is very helpful, it is not a program although programs facilitate relationships it is not something that we accomplish then move on to something else…it is a life endeavor. Discipleship
2 Timothy 1:1-7 A Disciple has people who build into them…Mentor type relationships
Vrs 1 Paul is not just writing as a friend but when he says “an Apostle” he is speaking to Timothy as one who has authority and therefore this authority should also be communicated to those under Timothy. Timothy can clearly say to those under him…”Paul the Apostle told me”
In this situation we see Timothy a disciple of Jesus Christ has Paul to build into him on a “pastoral calling level”
Vrs 2 “my beloved child” this is an important relationship that believers should have…someone they can look to as a spiritual father…maybe your biological father fills this role. But many of you like myself have a father that is not a firm believer in Christ, so we need other spiritual older men to fill that void.
Description of the Mentor/person building into us A Mentor…
Vrs 3
-Practices what they have learned from those they learned from (thanks)
-Prays for then disciple
Vrs 4 -Mentor cares for the disciple. “Tears” This is probably a reference to the last time Paul saw Timothy and they were parting ways 1 Timothy 1:3 “remain at Ephesus”
-Mentor takes pleasure in the work done by the disciple
Vrs 5 A Mentor recognizes the power of the first influence (Parents). A disciple has multiple people that speak into their lives.
When Paul speaks about Lois and Eunice it is a reminder that our first responsibility when it comes to discipleship is those in our family.
A call to parents you have little lives that need to be built into…It is the job of the church to assist that but the responsibility does not rest on the church to disciple your children. The church with its programs should underline what you are currently teaching them.
You on the other hand should be discipled by the church. Here is why, if you know the Word and are consistently pursuing God that will inevitably use what is instilled in you to disciple your children…because discipleship is about the life we live…not a class or program. So the goal here if for you to learn, learn how to apply and be inspired to apply the truths of the Bible.
To some degree your children will love what you love and hate what you hate. UNLESS (with the exception of Jesus who should be before everything and everyone) what you love forces you to neglect them.
Why is this? Because when you love something you develop a passion for whatever that is and when there is passion for something, the people around you sense that and then want to investigate what is fueling that passion.
Our society tells us put our kids in situations in which they can be exposed to things and have experiences but what we need to remember as parents, the best thing we can do for our children at the developmental ages is build into them spiritually. We CANNOT do that if we are not being built into spiritually. You make sacrifices for your children but you do not sacrifice your own spiritual development for them, if you do it will harm them. (My going to school illustration, I need development)
Then you can live a Deut 6:4-9 centered Christian life.
The words of Jesus “A disciple is not above his teacher” your children will reach as high as you are.
Vrs 6 A mentor encourages the disciple to their highest potential. “fan to flame” Remember Rev 3:16 Jesus spits out those that are lukewarm. Do everything you can to be excited about and on fire for the Lord.
“Fan into flame” encourage the work
You can tell if someone has the work of the Lord’s best interest in mind if they encourage others to serve better and excel. Far too many times we see people in leadership roles that only want good things to be accomplished if their name is attached to it.
They don’t have the security to empower others and will not support when others excel. They may tear down and malign what the person is doing in hopes to keep people looking at them.
The people who truly have an impact are the people that are willing to empower and not take credit.
As a person who disciples others, one necessary trait must be humility…
If it was not for the devotion of Annie Sullivan the world would not know the name of Helen Keller
If not for George MacDonald the world may not have known C.S. Lewis
1 Timothy 4:14 Leaders “laying hands” a commissioning for ministry
This act is also saying “we need to empower others for the work”
Vrs 7 A mentor reminds a disciple of the power of God
A disciple needs those that build into them to be the type of people that celebrate with them even when their work becomes more noticeable then the work that they have done.
Vrs 7 a true disciple is empowered by God (more specifically the Holy Spirit). Bottom line is that what matters most is a vibrant relationship with the Lord that is only achieved through the GOSPEL. You can work all you want to be a good disciple (follower of Jesus) but if you do not rely on the Holy Spirit you have failed.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Entrusted "A Call to Action"
1 Timothy 6:11-21
Call to action These things show our faith Action, Reaction and Protection
Vrs 11-14 Action
• Flee “these things” trusting in false teaching and following them which leads to sin
• Peruse – Christian virtues. Read them in verse 11
Dr. Vernon Grounds says “Godliness is when others look at the quality of my life, and begin to think about God”
• Fight – Vrs 12 Living your faith will come against some resistance in which you will need to fight against.
-Your family and friends will not understand you
-You will have to make decisions at work that are not that popular
-You will not agree with others on certain issues
• Take Hold 12b-13 –Live the gospel “Take hold of eternal life” live like a citizen of heaven This is difficult when we live here on earth with and among other people.
Augustine wrote The City of God after It was written soon after Rome was sacked by the Visigoths in 410. This event left Romans in a deep state of shock, and many saw it as punishment for abandoning their traditional Roman religion. It was in this atmosphere that Augustine set out to console Christians, writing that, even if the earthly rule of the empire was imperiled, it was the City of God that would ultimately triumph — Augustine's eyes were fixed on Heaven. (Wikipedia “The City of God)
Augustine states about living among non-believing.
“Many of them are so ungrateful to the Redeemer…they forget that they cannot even utter a single word”[without Him].
For us this means we need to “take hold” and try even harder to live out the Gospel because the people around us will not.
So as citizens of the City of God we need to speak the “Good Confession” which is that Jesus is the Truth. Pilate asked Jesus if He was the King and Jesus said yes.
• Vrs 14a Keep Commandment “unstained” – watch your testimony our call is to be a good representative of the Jesus
Thomas Brooks the Puritan writer says “Know that it is not the knowing, nor the talking, nor the reading man-but the doing man, that at last will be found the happiest”
When our Orthodoxy(What we believe) leads to Orthopraxy(What we do) we find ourselves happy.
Vrs 14b The fullness of our Joy will only come when Jesus comes
Vrs 15-16 A confession (what we believe) I think this is strategically placed to remind us that our actions should always be rooted in the GOSPEL
Sometimes Christians get caught up in doing good and being people who take action and forget that the Gospel needs to be the center of that good work…it should not be cause driven Christianity (help the poor, get clean water, do this program etc)
“Has seen” all His fullness, we would die. Ex 33:18-20
15b -16 I can ACT on the things a God like this says
Reaction
Vrs 17-19 A charge for the “haves” (what we believe should effect what we do with what we have)
If you have wealth…your reaction to Jesus with that wealth.
• don’t flaunt it. (haughty) if you are just buying things to impress others (Pimp my ride, cribs are saying…look I have so much money)
• don’t trust it. (Many people think money can bring security and happiness)
Comedian and writer Spike Milligan once said “All I ask is the chance to prove that money can't make me happy”
• realize where it came from. (Its from God and good)
• do good with it.
• be generous with it.
Vrs 19 If your reaction to what you have is in line with what Jesus teaches us then there are benefits…-storing up treasure for the next life and –truly having full life
Protection
Vrs 20-21
• Guard the deposit “ENTRUSTED”. As Christian we need to guard against false teaching, wrong direction or “vision” that is based on personal gain or ego boosting.
• Profess- when we declare openly Biblical teaching we are actually protecting the hearers. We see the false teachers profess their beliefs and it cause people to swerve from the faith.
“Grace be with you” All of Paul’s 13 letters end with this phrase and as
John Piper says “Paul believes that God’s grace is being mediated to the readers by the words, the truth of each letter”.
Without the grace of God we cannot ACT, REACT, or PROTECT
The Grace is Him allowing you, empowering you and entrusting you to do His work and His grace is enough.
Call to action These things show our faith Action, Reaction and Protection
Vrs 11-14 Action
• Flee “these things” trusting in false teaching and following them which leads to sin
• Peruse – Christian virtues. Read them in verse 11
Dr. Vernon Grounds says “Godliness is when others look at the quality of my life, and begin to think about God”
• Fight – Vrs 12 Living your faith will come against some resistance in which you will need to fight against.
-Your family and friends will not understand you
-You will have to make decisions at work that are not that popular
-You will not agree with others on certain issues
• Take Hold 12b-13 –Live the gospel “Take hold of eternal life” live like a citizen of heaven This is difficult when we live here on earth with and among other people.
Augustine wrote The City of God after It was written soon after Rome was sacked by the Visigoths in 410. This event left Romans in a deep state of shock, and many saw it as punishment for abandoning their traditional Roman religion. It was in this atmosphere that Augustine set out to console Christians, writing that, even if the earthly rule of the empire was imperiled, it was the City of God that would ultimately triumph — Augustine's eyes were fixed on Heaven. (Wikipedia “The City of God)
Augustine states about living among non-believing.
“Many of them are so ungrateful to the Redeemer…they forget that they cannot even utter a single word”[without Him].
For us this means we need to “take hold” and try even harder to live out the Gospel because the people around us will not.
So as citizens of the City of God we need to speak the “Good Confession” which is that Jesus is the Truth. Pilate asked Jesus if He was the King and Jesus said yes.
• Vrs 14a Keep Commandment “unstained” – watch your testimony our call is to be a good representative of the Jesus
Thomas Brooks the Puritan writer says “Know that it is not the knowing, nor the talking, nor the reading man-but the doing man, that at last will be found the happiest”
When our Orthodoxy(What we believe) leads to Orthopraxy(What we do) we find ourselves happy.
Vrs 14b The fullness of our Joy will only come when Jesus comes
Vrs 15-16 A confession (what we believe) I think this is strategically placed to remind us that our actions should always be rooted in the GOSPEL
Sometimes Christians get caught up in doing good and being people who take action and forget that the Gospel needs to be the center of that good work…it should not be cause driven Christianity (help the poor, get clean water, do this program etc)
“Has seen” all His fullness, we would die. Ex 33:18-20
15b -16 I can ACT on the things a God like this says
Reaction
Vrs 17-19 A charge for the “haves” (what we believe should effect what we do with what we have)
If you have wealth…your reaction to Jesus with that wealth.
• don’t flaunt it. (haughty) if you are just buying things to impress others (Pimp my ride, cribs are saying…look I have so much money)
• don’t trust it. (Many people think money can bring security and happiness)
Comedian and writer Spike Milligan once said “All I ask is the chance to prove that money can't make me happy”
• realize where it came from. (Its from God and good)
• do good with it.
• be generous with it.
Vrs 19 If your reaction to what you have is in line with what Jesus teaches us then there are benefits…-storing up treasure for the next life and –truly having full life
Protection
Vrs 20-21
• Guard the deposit “ENTRUSTED”. As Christian we need to guard against false teaching, wrong direction or “vision” that is based on personal gain or ego boosting.
• Profess- when we declare openly Biblical teaching we are actually protecting the hearers. We see the false teachers profess their beliefs and it cause people to swerve from the faith.
“Grace be with you” All of Paul’s 13 letters end with this phrase and as
John Piper says “Paul believes that God’s grace is being mediated to the readers by the words, the truth of each letter”.
Without the grace of God we cannot ACT, REACT, or PROTECT
The Grace is Him allowing you, empowering you and entrusting you to do His work and His grace is enough.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
"True Contentment" Part 2
1 Timothy 6:7-10
Acquiring possessions and money
Money Vrs 7-10
The motivation for the false teaching seemed to be personal gain (in this case monetary)
A great topic to talk about during Christmas week, true contentment as far as money and material possessions are concerned.
“True Contentment” can never be achieved by money or possessions
Vrs. 7 you brought nothing in, you can’t take anything with you. Job 1:21 & Eccl 5:15
The implication of this verse is there is no final or eternal benefit to material possessions in the next life. Not only did you not bring anything in or can’t take anything out.
You didn’t care when you were born and you won’t care when you die.
That is exactly why God wants us to use what we have, enjoy it, not be selfish with it, or find false security in it.
Vrs 8 This verse counterbalances verse 7 by saying there are things we need to live in this world such as food and clothing. It seems that the first concept that Paul deals with is that we should be content with God’s basic provisions for us.
The fact that God provides for those needs is evidence to us that He is good. He provides for the sparrow, how much more will he provide for us. Matt 6:25-34 Jesus tells us don’t worry or be anxious. He will take care of those things.
When we are content with what God has given us…then we will be able to fulfill what He has called us to do in Matt 6:19-21 (sermon Desire Series “How to get Rich”)
3 Principles
-Temporal wealth does not last.
-Spiritual wealth is gained by obedience to Jesus and inherited in the next life. This also has benefits for this life as far as fulfillment.
-Focuses our heart on what is important
If we look at having an abundance as necessity it will squelch “true contentment” because we will think we need things that are just wants and those wants let us down.
Vrs 9 The desire to be rich...
If your goal and desire is to always have more you have taken the bait.
The Puritan’s do a good job developing the concept of how Satan uses the good things that God blesses us with as bait to hook us into sin
Thomas Brooks 1600’s the Puritan Writer in “Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices” sums up what Paul is saying in verse 9 warns of the bait and hook that Satan puts out when it come to sin.
“By presenting the bait and hiding the hook”
The bait with money is…
money will solve my problems, money will make me happy, if I only had…this or that I would be content.
Brooks says here are the Remedies
1. We ought to keep greatest distance from sin and playing with the bait.
2. Remember sin is often bittersweet (money can solve some problems it also can create problems)
3. Remember sin will usher in the greatest and saddest losses (money and possessions often are not all they are cracked up to be and let us down when we have them and devastate us when we lose them if we trusted and found security in them)
4. Remember sin is deceitful and bewitching (v9 “plunge people into ruin and destruction”)
Is it wrong to be rich or have an abundance of money and material passions?
1 Timothy 6:17 answers no and reminds us of 3 things
-Don’t flaunt it
-Don’t trust it
-It belongs to God
Vrs 10 What love of something other then the Jesus can and will do to you. It will harm you because it is another god that does not want good for you.
Why is money such a powerful vice? Becomes a god. Jesus said you cannot serve God and money.
Thomas Aquinas 1200’s , On Prayer and the Contemplative Life
“My deafness, too, to the inner voice of my Shepherd; and, what is far worse, that I have chosen God for my enemy and my adversary as often as I have chosen sin, and that I have offered Him the grievous insult of refusing to have Him for my God, and choosing instead my belly, or money, or false delights-and called them my God!
When we make something else “god” in our lives we are going to hurt ourselves and offend Jesus. Matt 6:24 “Canst serve two masters”
Blinded by greed (Timothy Keller “no one thinks they are greedy) Not only are we are we blinded by greed we are blinded of or from our greed. Illustration: He was teaching a men’s class on the 7 deadly sins.
Because there is always someone who has more for us to look at and say “They must be greedy because they have more then me”
Greed displays the love of money.
How to avoid the love of money…
1. Don’t make money your motivating factor. Attention younger people. When looking for a career to pursue ask yourself…would I do this if they did not pay me?
2. Hold on with open hands (be generous the best offense against greed)
Phil 4:10-13 Paul speaks of the generosity of the Philippians helped him to understand contentment. He was in need and God’s people helped.
3. Steward wisely- part of the problem many people have with money and why they need and desire more is because they made bad decisions with what they do have. (now they have an abusive love relationship with money)
4. Have a right perspective. (money should not change who I am, how secure I am or solve my sin problem) GOSPEL Jesus is the only one who can change who we are, give us security and solve our sin problem.
Heb 13:5 “Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said “I will not leave you or forsake you”.
“True Contentment”
Accepting the Truth
Accepting what God has given you and using it for His glory.”
Acquiring possessions and money
Money Vrs 7-10
The motivation for the false teaching seemed to be personal gain (in this case monetary)
A great topic to talk about during Christmas week, true contentment as far as money and material possessions are concerned.
“True Contentment” can never be achieved by money or possessions
Vrs. 7 you brought nothing in, you can’t take anything with you. Job 1:21 & Eccl 5:15
The implication of this verse is there is no final or eternal benefit to material possessions in the next life. Not only did you not bring anything in or can’t take anything out.
You didn’t care when you were born and you won’t care when you die.
That is exactly why God wants us to use what we have, enjoy it, not be selfish with it, or find false security in it.
Vrs 8 This verse counterbalances verse 7 by saying there are things we need to live in this world such as food and clothing. It seems that the first concept that Paul deals with is that we should be content with God’s basic provisions for us.
The fact that God provides for those needs is evidence to us that He is good. He provides for the sparrow, how much more will he provide for us. Matt 6:25-34 Jesus tells us don’t worry or be anxious. He will take care of those things.
When we are content with what God has given us…then we will be able to fulfill what He has called us to do in Matt 6:19-21 (sermon Desire Series “How to get Rich”)
3 Principles
-Temporal wealth does not last.
-Spiritual wealth is gained by obedience to Jesus and inherited in the next life. This also has benefits for this life as far as fulfillment.
-Focuses our heart on what is important
If we look at having an abundance as necessity it will squelch “true contentment” because we will think we need things that are just wants and those wants let us down.
Vrs 9 The desire to be rich...
If your goal and desire is to always have more you have taken the bait.
The Puritan’s do a good job developing the concept of how Satan uses the good things that God blesses us with as bait to hook us into sin
Thomas Brooks 1600’s the Puritan Writer in “Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices” sums up what Paul is saying in verse 9 warns of the bait and hook that Satan puts out when it come to sin.
“By presenting the bait and hiding the hook”
The bait with money is…
money will solve my problems, money will make me happy, if I only had…this or that I would be content.
Brooks says here are the Remedies
1. We ought to keep greatest distance from sin and playing with the bait.
2. Remember sin is often bittersweet (money can solve some problems it also can create problems)
3. Remember sin will usher in the greatest and saddest losses (money and possessions often are not all they are cracked up to be and let us down when we have them and devastate us when we lose them if we trusted and found security in them)
4. Remember sin is deceitful and bewitching (v9 “plunge people into ruin and destruction”)
Is it wrong to be rich or have an abundance of money and material passions?
1 Timothy 6:17 answers no and reminds us of 3 things
-Don’t flaunt it
-Don’t trust it
-It belongs to God
Vrs 10 What love of something other then the Jesus can and will do to you. It will harm you because it is another god that does not want good for you.
Why is money such a powerful vice? Becomes a god. Jesus said you cannot serve God and money.
Thomas Aquinas 1200’s , On Prayer and the Contemplative Life
“My deafness, too, to the inner voice of my Shepherd; and, what is far worse, that I have chosen God for my enemy and my adversary as often as I have chosen sin, and that I have offered Him the grievous insult of refusing to have Him for my God, and choosing instead my belly, or money, or false delights-and called them my God!
When we make something else “god” in our lives we are going to hurt ourselves and offend Jesus. Matt 6:24 “Canst serve two masters”
Blinded by greed (Timothy Keller “no one thinks they are greedy) Not only are we are we blinded by greed we are blinded of or from our greed. Illustration: He was teaching a men’s class on the 7 deadly sins.
Because there is always someone who has more for us to look at and say “They must be greedy because they have more then me”
Greed displays the love of money.
How to avoid the love of money…
1. Don’t make money your motivating factor. Attention younger people. When looking for a career to pursue ask yourself…would I do this if they did not pay me?
2. Hold on with open hands (be generous the best offense against greed)
Phil 4:10-13 Paul speaks of the generosity of the Philippians helped him to understand contentment. He was in need and God’s people helped.
3. Steward wisely- part of the problem many people have with money and why they need and desire more is because they made bad decisions with what they do have. (now they have an abusive love relationship with money)
4. Have a right perspective. (money should not change who I am, how secure I am or solve my sin problem) GOSPEL Jesus is the only one who can change who we are, give us security and solve our sin problem.
Heb 13:5 “Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said “I will not leave you or forsake you”.
“True Contentment”
Accepting the Truth
Accepting what God has given you and using it for His glory.”
Friday, December 17, 2010
"True Contentment" Part 1
1 Timothy 6:3-6 “True Contentment” Part 1
This passage gives us 2 reasons why people lack contentment. Lack of truth and love of money.
This week we are going to talk about truth and we will talk about love of money next week.
What is contentment? Satisfaction…ease of mind
I preached for 20 weeks “Restless Series” on discontentment
In our quest for contentment. We want to explain things…It bothers us not to be able to have an answer for everything. It causes us to be discontent. So we all desire truth so we can have answers
“Thoroughly worldly people never understand even the world; they rely altogether on a few cynical maxims which are not true” GK Chesterton Orthodoxy
The false teachers in Timothy’s day were making up their own truth, don’t eat this, don’t marry, work your way to heaven, give us money.
So we pick up in Vrs 3 A different doctrine
“sound Words of Jesus” are Truth
What does Jesus say about truth? Jesus & Truth
-Grace and truth come through Jesus John 1:17
-I tell you the truth John 8:45
-The truth shall set you free John 8:32
-Set apart in the truth…Your Word is truth John 17:17
-I am the truth John 14:6 GOSPEL
True contentment will never be achieved if you don’t know Jesus…Truth
Notice I did not say “you cannot be content”
I would agree that many things in our lives can bring contentment for periods of time. But w/o a relationship with Jesus you can never feel True Contentment
Specifically for the Christian…
“Teaching that accords with Godliness”
My quote “Good theology gets you through tough times” We have to fill our hearts and minds with solid Biblical teaching. This will lead to Godliness.
Based on the next passage I want to give you another quote that is related to my first.
“Bad theology creates tough times”
Vrs4-5 We can’t be content without the truth and when we try to make up our own truth we cause discontentment in others.
Here are some false teachings we deal with today…
-If there is a God…why is there suffering.
-We are here by chance (evolution)
-The Christian faith does not use reason and logic
-As long as what you do makes you happy
-You can work your way to heaven
-There is more then one way to God
“Instead of his teaching edifying the hearer, it produces spiritual sickness” Donald Norbie
You will never be content if you do not know truth you will be spiritually sick
Paul then goes on to describe the symptoms of Spiritual sickness that is found in the teachers Vrs 4a list
The teachers of “bad theology”
-Puffed up 3 John 1:9-11 Diotrephes “likes to put himself first”
-Understands nothing (your worldview is messed up)
-Unhealthy craving for controversy and quarrels (why we see Atheists going nuts about people celebrating Christmas)
What this results in for people
believing “bad theology” produces Vrs 4b-5a
-Envy - You can have more or be more. Biblical Christianity teaches us to be content in every situation Phil 4:11
-Dissention- Oppose those who claim truth. Biblical Christianity teaches us to live at peace with others
-Slander - Defame those who claim truth or those we do not like. Biblical Christianity teaches us not to use are words to defame others.
-Evil suspicion- Question authority. Biblical Christianity teaches us to trust Jesus
-Constant friction- With inner peace it is nearly impossible to live at peace with others. Biblical Christianity teaches us to be at peace with the help of the Lord through prayer and relationship. Phil 4:6 1 Peter 5:7 Cast cares
Why? Because they are sinners (depraved mind) in need of truth (deprived of truth) The false teachers are not teaching truth so it keeps the believers of bad theology in a unspiritual and unhealthy cycle.
The point here is this Paul is saying unredeemed sinners are not going to be able to effectively work out their problems and fulfill their need for contentment because they do not believe the truth.
Faith in Jesus Christ (Good Theology) is what gives us power to be content and actually see change in our lives
You will not be content if you don’t know the truth…Jesus
The big “what if” question. Based on 5b “godliness is a means of gain.” What if I am a Christian and I am not content?
You may feel like you have no purpose, things are not going well, you feel empty, and a lack of direction, looking for more answers
I know people who have gone through terrible things in life but they content. What is wrong with them? How can they be content?
2 Cor. 12:8-10 Paul spells it out loud and clear, unlike the puffed up false teachers who think they no it all. “True Contentment” is reliance on the Lord.
Vrs 6 A reminder “ There is Gain in Godliness when it accompanied by contentment”
If you are not content in the situations that God allows to come your way you are missing out on His blessings, what He is teaching you, how you can help others and how He wants to shape you to be more like Him
First step to “True Contentment” is..
Accepting the Truth
The truth is that we live in a world wrought with sin and we are sinners and Jesus came to set us free with His death burial and resurrection. Right now we are only experiencing some of that freedom that Jesus brings and we will have that in fullness when we pass to the next life.
Only through accepting the truth can we start to experience contentment.
This passage gives us 2 reasons why people lack contentment. Lack of truth and love of money.
This week we are going to talk about truth and we will talk about love of money next week.
What is contentment? Satisfaction…ease of mind
I preached for 20 weeks “Restless Series” on discontentment
In our quest for contentment. We want to explain things…It bothers us not to be able to have an answer for everything. It causes us to be discontent. So we all desire truth so we can have answers
“Thoroughly worldly people never understand even the world; they rely altogether on a few cynical maxims which are not true” GK Chesterton Orthodoxy
The false teachers in Timothy’s day were making up their own truth, don’t eat this, don’t marry, work your way to heaven, give us money.
So we pick up in Vrs 3 A different doctrine
“sound Words of Jesus” are Truth
What does Jesus say about truth? Jesus & Truth
-Grace and truth come through Jesus John 1:17
-I tell you the truth John 8:45
-The truth shall set you free John 8:32
-Set apart in the truth…Your Word is truth John 17:17
-I am the truth John 14:6 GOSPEL
True contentment will never be achieved if you don’t know Jesus…Truth
Notice I did not say “you cannot be content”
I would agree that many things in our lives can bring contentment for periods of time. But w/o a relationship with Jesus you can never feel True Contentment
Specifically for the Christian…
“Teaching that accords with Godliness”
My quote “Good theology gets you through tough times” We have to fill our hearts and minds with solid Biblical teaching. This will lead to Godliness.
Based on the next passage I want to give you another quote that is related to my first.
“Bad theology creates tough times”
Vrs4-5 We can’t be content without the truth and when we try to make up our own truth we cause discontentment in others.
Here are some false teachings we deal with today…
-If there is a God…why is there suffering.
-We are here by chance (evolution)
-The Christian faith does not use reason and logic
-As long as what you do makes you happy
-You can work your way to heaven
-There is more then one way to God
“Instead of his teaching edifying the hearer, it produces spiritual sickness” Donald Norbie
You will never be content if you do not know truth you will be spiritually sick
Paul then goes on to describe the symptoms of Spiritual sickness that is found in the teachers Vrs 4a list
The teachers of “bad theology”
-Puffed up 3 John 1:9-11 Diotrephes “likes to put himself first”
-Understands nothing (your worldview is messed up)
-Unhealthy craving for controversy and quarrels (why we see Atheists going nuts about people celebrating Christmas)
What this results in for people
believing “bad theology” produces Vrs 4b-5a
-Envy - You can have more or be more. Biblical Christianity teaches us to be content in every situation Phil 4:11
-Dissention- Oppose those who claim truth. Biblical Christianity teaches us to live at peace with others
-Slander - Defame those who claim truth or those we do not like. Biblical Christianity teaches us not to use are words to defame others.
-Evil suspicion- Question authority. Biblical Christianity teaches us to trust Jesus
-Constant friction- With inner peace it is nearly impossible to live at peace with others. Biblical Christianity teaches us to be at peace with the help of the Lord through prayer and relationship. Phil 4:6 1 Peter 5:7 Cast cares
Why? Because they are sinners (depraved mind) in need of truth (deprived of truth) The false teachers are not teaching truth so it keeps the believers of bad theology in a unspiritual and unhealthy cycle.
The point here is this Paul is saying unredeemed sinners are not going to be able to effectively work out their problems and fulfill their need for contentment because they do not believe the truth.
Faith in Jesus Christ (Good Theology) is what gives us power to be content and actually see change in our lives
You will not be content if you don’t know the truth…Jesus
The big “what if” question. Based on 5b “godliness is a means of gain.” What if I am a Christian and I am not content?
You may feel like you have no purpose, things are not going well, you feel empty, and a lack of direction, looking for more answers
I know people who have gone through terrible things in life but they content. What is wrong with them? How can they be content?
2 Cor. 12:8-10 Paul spells it out loud and clear, unlike the puffed up false teachers who think they no it all. “True Contentment” is reliance on the Lord.
Vrs 6 A reminder “ There is Gain in Godliness when it accompanied by contentment”
If you are not content in the situations that God allows to come your way you are missing out on His blessings, what He is teaching you, how you can help others and how He wants to shape you to be more like Him
First step to “True Contentment” is..
Accepting the Truth
The truth is that we live in a world wrought with sin and we are sinners and Jesus came to set us free with His death burial and resurrection. Right now we are only experiencing some of that freedom that Jesus brings and we will have that in fullness when we pass to the next life.
Only through accepting the truth can we start to experience contentment.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Entrusted "In and Under Authority"
1 Timothy 5:17-6:2
Currently there are 4 Atheistic groups taking out ads and billboards to undermine Biblical Christianity.
American Atheists have a billboard by the Lincoln Tunnel that says this…
The Catholic League answered back…but their statement was “the atheists want to get Christians to doubt their faith” I don’t think that is it.
I think that atheists in general have a problem with authority. They want to be the authority and can’t handle that there just may be something greater then their ideas and their concepts.
The main issue is that people do not want to admit Jesus has authority in their lives. If there is an authority and that authority has standards if we don’t keep those standards there is a problem.
All authority is given to Jesus. When we humble ourselves under that authority God raises us up. GOSPEL
Tonight we will look at the concept of authority. How we should respond if we are in an authority position and how we respond being under authority. .
There are many different types of Authority..
-Civil Authority-police, judges
Authority within the workplace- boss, manager
Authority with in the family-parents
Authority within the school- teachers, administration
Spiritual Authority within the church- This passage is going to address the spiritual authority issue and I believe if we have that right the other areas of life will fall into place.
Define Authority-the right to command.
Society sometimes says things like “Question Authority” , “Authority is corrupt” “we are all in Authority, what gives you the right to have authority,
“If you're going to kick authority in the teeth, you might as well use two feet.”Keith Richards Rolling Stones
Authority is unfair and you will loose
We defined the role of spiritual authority in the church as (1 Tim 2:8-15) – Guarding, upholding and making decisions based on Biblical truth in the local fellowship.
The Bible tells us 1 Peter 2:13-17 The Godly submit to authority &
2 Peter 2:10 tell us the ungodly despise authority.
1 Timothy 5:17-6:2 speaks about 3 issues what to expect when in authority, calling people to authority and
In Authority
Vrs 17-18 - Compensation- for the time that those in authority put in. This is why Pastors get paid
Side not of Christian business owners ethics…take care of your employees (Arthur Guinness)
Vrs 19- Give them the benefit of the doubt - “Innocent until proven guilty” many times because people bristle at authority they are “guilty until proven innocent” and that type thinking damages the reputation of those in leadership and authority roles
Vrs 20- They are held to a higher standard- Public authority bears public consequences. (Hebrews 13:17 tells us that leaders give account for the people they are in charge of)
Vrs 21- Fair - in dealings with the people they are in charge of , There is no special treatment when it comes to sin. Also leads well
Dwight D. Eisenhower Said “You do not lead by hitting people of the head…that’s assault, not leadership”
Calling people to authority positions
-Slowly- Be slow to put people in authority
Vrs 22- Be slow to put people into leadership and quick to take them out. One of the biggest problems in the church in general is that people who are not ready or qualified end up in positions of leadership that they should not be in. It is bad for them and bad for the people they are in charge of.
When the wrong people are in leadership the wrong things happen.
Vrs 23 Wine for stomach. In light of the asceticism of the false teachers Paul may be providing a qualification to the call for purity in clarifying that there would be nothing wrong with Timothy using a little wine, emphasizing here its usefulness for the sake of his health
-Investigate before
Vrs 24-25 The importance in assessing people before they are in leadership roles. The reason for this is simple. It is so much easier to say “no, now is not the time” then to let someone serve and in some cases serve well then have to ask them to step down from that position.
How do you judge if people want to be in or use authority for personal gain or power…the verse tells us to look at their life example.
Living under authority in any situation
Vrs 1 A Testimony issue
Vrs 2 -Hinders the work of Jesus. Hebrews 13:17
In a healthy situation spiritual leaders are praying for guidance on how to lead and what to do with the people entrusted to their flock. So if a leader leads you into the things of the Lord and you do not follow then what you are saying is “that is just his opinion” or “I don’t need that”
On a personal note that is why I am very careful about what I promote from the pulpit and anywhere for that matter.
The Christian should love and thrive under authority of Godly people and cannot expect to have any type of authority unless they can be under authority.
The what if question? Authority asks you to disobey God?
Acts 5:29 Peter and the Apostles are ordered to stop preaching about Jesus and they replied “we must obey God rather then men”
When those in authority are in the wrong it is our first call to follow Jesus.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer the Christian theologian and pastor spoke out against Hitler and Nazism publicly three days after Hitler rose to power and said that Germany was heading toward Idolatry.
He preached for the rights of Jews and Nazi Germany
He was a Christian who went against godless authority April 9, 1945 he was executed by hanging in the Flossenburg concentration camp.
A Christian realizes the Authority of Jesus should rule their lives.
Currently there are 4 Atheistic groups taking out ads and billboards to undermine Biblical Christianity.
American Atheists have a billboard by the Lincoln Tunnel that says this…
The Catholic League answered back…but their statement was “the atheists want to get Christians to doubt their faith” I don’t think that is it.
I think that atheists in general have a problem with authority. They want to be the authority and can’t handle that there just may be something greater then their ideas and their concepts.
The main issue is that people do not want to admit Jesus has authority in their lives. If there is an authority and that authority has standards if we don’t keep those standards there is a problem.
All authority is given to Jesus. When we humble ourselves under that authority God raises us up. GOSPEL
Tonight we will look at the concept of authority. How we should respond if we are in an authority position and how we respond being under authority. .
There are many different types of Authority..
-Civil Authority-police, judges
Authority within the workplace- boss, manager
Authority with in the family-parents
Authority within the school- teachers, administration
Spiritual Authority within the church- This passage is going to address the spiritual authority issue and I believe if we have that right the other areas of life will fall into place.
Define Authority-the right to command.
Society sometimes says things like “Question Authority” , “Authority is corrupt” “we are all in Authority, what gives you the right to have authority,
“If you're going to kick authority in the teeth, you might as well use two feet.”Keith Richards Rolling Stones
Authority is unfair and you will loose
We defined the role of spiritual authority in the church as (1 Tim 2:8-15) – Guarding, upholding and making decisions based on Biblical truth in the local fellowship.
The Bible tells us 1 Peter 2:13-17 The Godly submit to authority &
2 Peter 2:10 tell us the ungodly despise authority.
1 Timothy 5:17-6:2 speaks about 3 issues what to expect when in authority, calling people to authority and
In Authority
Vrs 17-18 - Compensation- for the time that those in authority put in. This is why Pastors get paid
Side not of Christian business owners ethics…take care of your employees (Arthur Guinness)
Vrs 19- Give them the benefit of the doubt - “Innocent until proven guilty” many times because people bristle at authority they are “guilty until proven innocent” and that type thinking damages the reputation of those in leadership and authority roles
Vrs 20- They are held to a higher standard- Public authority bears public consequences. (Hebrews 13:17 tells us that leaders give account for the people they are in charge of)
Vrs 21- Fair - in dealings with the people they are in charge of , There is no special treatment when it comes to sin. Also leads well
Dwight D. Eisenhower Said “You do not lead by hitting people of the head…that’s assault, not leadership”
Calling people to authority positions
-Slowly- Be slow to put people in authority
Vrs 22- Be slow to put people into leadership and quick to take them out. One of the biggest problems in the church in general is that people who are not ready or qualified end up in positions of leadership that they should not be in. It is bad for them and bad for the people they are in charge of.
When the wrong people are in leadership the wrong things happen.
Vrs 23 Wine for stomach. In light of the asceticism of the false teachers Paul may be providing a qualification to the call for purity in clarifying that there would be nothing wrong with Timothy using a little wine, emphasizing here its usefulness for the sake of his health
-Investigate before
Vrs 24-25 The importance in assessing people before they are in leadership roles. The reason for this is simple. It is so much easier to say “no, now is not the time” then to let someone serve and in some cases serve well then have to ask them to step down from that position.
How do you judge if people want to be in or use authority for personal gain or power…the verse tells us to look at their life example.
Living under authority in any situation
Vrs 1 A Testimony issue
Vrs 2 -Hinders the work of Jesus. Hebrews 13:17
In a healthy situation spiritual leaders are praying for guidance on how to lead and what to do with the people entrusted to their flock. So if a leader leads you into the things of the Lord and you do not follow then what you are saying is “that is just his opinion” or “I don’t need that”
On a personal note that is why I am very careful about what I promote from the pulpit and anywhere for that matter.
The Christian should love and thrive under authority of Godly people and cannot expect to have any type of authority unless they can be under authority.
The what if question? Authority asks you to disobey God?
Acts 5:29 Peter and the Apostles are ordered to stop preaching about Jesus and they replied “we must obey God rather then men”
When those in authority are in the wrong it is our first call to follow Jesus.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer the Christian theologian and pastor spoke out against Hitler and Nazism publicly three days after Hitler rose to power and said that Germany was heading toward Idolatry.
He preached for the rights of Jews and Nazi Germany
He was a Christian who went against godless authority April 9, 1945 he was executed by hanging in the Flossenburg concentration camp.
A Christian realizes the Authority of Jesus should rule their lives.
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